Posted by Michael G Stogner
a resident of another community
on Sep 29, 2012 at 6:03 pm

Speier referred to the modernized trains as "brainiacs," because computerized locomotives will operate with the signaling system to prevent train-to-train collisions, enforce speed restrictions and improve the overall safety of the transit system.

The Congresswoman has made no comment not one word about the near-mis August 24, 2012 SSF 8:27 AM when a SB train going 76 MPH just missed 10 people stranded between the northbound train with only 6 ft separating the 2 trains.

The local politicians gather to thank themselves for voting to spend $1B on CalTrain, and congratulate themselves for a job well done. To be clear, I think an electrified Caltrain done right is a great step forward for Peninsula commuters.

However, it has been reported that this Caltrain funding bill was little more than insurance to ensure the support of Peninsula politicians for the high speed rail project. The notion that Caltrain will cease being the mismanaged agency that it is when it switches to electric engines is silly, and that any real monitory savings that may materialize will never actually translate into any rider benefit.

Concerning safety, there is no plan to add any grade separations between San Francisco and San Jose, so how this plan will make Caltrain safer is a real mystery. A few places will be 'studied' for separations, but as I read the plan, there is neither a requirement, nor funding, for any grade separations along the corridor. More, faster trains and no new grade separations are fatalities waiting to happen. But so long as the ribbon cutting ceremonies look good, I guess that's all that really matters.

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